One of five

Tom Rimback @RimbackBCT

Tuesday

Aug 30, 2011 at 12:01 AM

PHILADELPHIA — The five best guys.

That’s the goal the Eagles are working toward on their offensive line this preseason. At this point, that means two rookies, two returning starters and Evan Mathis, a seven-year veteran free agent from Cincinnati.

After Thursday’s preseason game against Cleveland, Mathis was elevated to the starting left guard spot. Todd Herremans, a Pro Bowl alternate last season there, has been moved to right tackle to protect quarterback Michael Vick’s blind side.

Mathis is the key to the line’s shakeup. Through camp, the University of Alabama veteran has worked his way into the left guard position freeing Herremans to fill the hole at right tackle.

“I didn’t come here to make the team,” Mathis said. “I didn’t come here with intentions to be a backup. I came here with the intention to earn a starting job. That’s where I am right now. I know there’s still a lot to be done.

“Our goal is to win the Super Bowl. We’re far from that goal right now. We’re going to work hard every day to get there.”

Herremans and left tackle Jason Peters bookend the line. The rookies, Jason Kelce at center and right guard Danny Watkins, join Mathis in the middle. All five fit the mold offensive line guru Howard Mudd favors. Mudd came out of retirement to coach the Eagles line.

“I always heard that the Howard Mudd type is a more athletic, mobile player,” Mathis said. “My previous offensive line coach in Cincinnati (Paul Alexander) told me that I would fit well with Howard’s scheme.”

And he has. Mathis’ emergence as a starter has given the team much more flexibility along the offensive line.

“Todd is a versatile player,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. “He’s played tackle before. He’s got the ability to play tackle. We’ve all known that for several years.

“Because of Todd’s versatility and because of Evan . . . he showed signs that he’s an excellent player. Throughout training camp he showed that he was a consistent player as well. He’s done an outstanding job through camp.”

Training camp was the Eagles only offseason opportunity to evaluate players. Those evaluations necessarily came at the cost of consistency in the lineup. It’s practically written in stone that a good offensive line needs to play together to develop chemistry. Mathis believes more in hard work.

“You hear all the clichés about jelling and continuity and all that, but we’re going to get better every day,” Mathis said. “I think we can come together very quickly. We’re going to do what it takes to get better.”

The right tackle position has been a revolving door so far this summer. The hope is that moving Herremans and promoting Mathis will lock the lineup in place.

“The key is, the five best,” Mornhinweg said. “The next key is your eight best. Typically you’re going to need seven or eight to play extensively. Sometimes you keep those five healthy all year; in many cases you don’t.”

Today, Mathis is one of the Eagles five best. A year ago, Mathis was preparing for his third year in Cincinnati after three in Carolina. The Eagles are turning out to be a perfect fit this season.

“Timing is a huge part of this game,” Mathis said. “To be able to find an organization like this, it is really good for me. I get to play here in Philadelphia. It’s such a well-run organization. I’m looking forward to what I can do here.”